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New Orleans Pelicans' Ryan Anderson announces he has been cleared for contact work

Ryan Anderson

New Orleans Pelicans power forward Ryan Anderson (33) walks off the court after missing a three-point shot to tie the game against the Dallas Mavericks in the New Orleans Arena, Wednesday December 4, 2013. The Dallas Mavericks beat the New Orleans Pelicans 100-97. (Photo by David Grunfeld, Nola.com |The Times-Picayune)

It comes eight months after Anderson suffered a season-ending neck injury on Jan. 3 when he collided with Boston Celtics forward Gerald Wallace and was carted off the court at the TD Garden on a stretcher.

Anderson underwent successful surgery on his cervical spin for a herniated disc in April.He was initially not expected to resume basketball activities for 4-6 months following surgery, according to the Pelicans.

Before Wednesday's announcement, Anderson had been working his way back through rehabilitation.

Anderson, who is one of the top 3-point shooting stretch power forwards in the NBA, will be ready to participate in the Pelicans' training camp, which begins in three weeks. In June, Pelicans coach Monty Williams said Anderson was on pace to be ready before the start of training camp.

He played in just 22 games last season, which included missed time for a broken toe. The Pelicans were devastated by injuries last season. Starting point guard Jrue Holiday required season-ending surgery in January to repair a stress fracture in his right tibia.

Starting shooting guard Eric Gordon missed the final 14 games because of a left knee injury that required surgery in April. Swingman Tyreke Evans underwent off-season arthroscopic surgery in May to clean out scar tissue in his right knee despite playing in 72 games and averaging 14.5 points.

Pelicans general manager Dell Demps said on Tuesday that expects everyone to be fully recovered when training camp begins.